Cushion construction



July'28, 194.2. H. F. WOLFE CUSHIQN CONSTRUCTION Filed April '11) 19584'Sheets-Sh eet 1 INVENTOR. HARGLD F. WOLFE r wyfe/zaa.

ATTORNEY5.

July28, 1942. WOLF; 2,291,429

CUSHION CONSTRUCTION Filed April 11, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR,HAROLD I: w 0 LEE 9 ATTORNEYS.

July 28, 1942,

H. F. WOLFE CUSHION CONSTRUCTION Filed April 11; 1938 Sheets-Sheet 3July 28, 19 42. v H. F. WOLFE 2,291,429

CUSHION CONSTRUCTION Filed April 11, 19268 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.HAROLD FTWOLITE ATTORNEY6.

Patented July 28, 1942 CUSHION CONSTRUCTION Harold F. Wolfe, Detroit,Mich, assignor to The Murray Corporation of America, Detroit, Mich., acorporation of Delaware Application April 11, 1938, Serial No. 201,212

6 Claims.

The present invention relates to seat constructions of a typeparticularly adapted to be used in automobiles.

It has been found that superior spring seat cushions may be produced bythe use of a plurality of specially formed sinuous spring elementsextending substantially parallel to each other in a curved planedefining the seating surface and secured at their ends to a frame. Eachof these spring elements in accordance with the usual practice is formedwith a plurality of continuous lateral convolutions lying in a planewhich is curved longitudinally of the elements. The spring elements aregiven an initial set causing them to tend to curl through an arc of morethan 180 and are then tensioned by stretching them to a substantiallyfiat but slightly arched condition and securing them at their ends to aframe.

It is the general object of the invention to provide an improved,simplified and. inexpensive cushion frame work embodying a supportingsurface of sinuous springs of the type mentioned.

More specific objects of the invention are to provide improved frameconstructions for carrying the sinuous springs, improved means forsupporting the sinuous spring frames and to provide a soft edgeconstruction for spring frames of the type mentioned.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following specifications and the accompanying drawings and appendedclaims:

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing one form of the invention;

Fig. 1a is a fragmentary front elevation of the construction shown inFig. 1;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the manner in which supportingsprings are secured to the spring frame;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified form of theinvention;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Figs. 6, '7, 8 and 9 are fragmentary perspective views of furthermodifications of the invention;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of a further modification ofthe invention;

Fig. 11 is a sectional View taken on the line I ll I of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken on the line |2--l2 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line l3l3 of Fig. 10.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings there is shown a seat framework formed of a pair of parallel transversely extending channel membersl0 and II rigidly secured together by a plurality of longitudinallyextending frame channel members I2. Extending between channel membersIll and II are a plurality of sinuous springs l4 each having an endcrimped in each of the channels 10 and II. The sinuous springs have aninitial set causing them to tend to curl longitudinally through an arcof more than and they are stretched when secured in the channels l0 andl I until they are only slightly arched upwardly. Accordingly thesprings are under tension and will offer substantial resistance to anydownwardly applied force. The convolutions of the springs lie in thesame curved plane and hence provide a highly satisfactory supportingsurface. As best shown in Fig. 3, the longitudinally extending framemembers [2 are arched downwardly to provide clearance for springs I l.

The seat frame work includes a base frame made up of a pair of parallellongitudinally extending rods l6 and I! connected at the forward edge ofthe seat by a pair of rods [8 and I9 and at the rearward edge of theseat by rod 20. The rod 20 is bent upward to form upwardly projectinginverted U-portions 2|, one of which is fixedly secured, as by welding,to each of the longitudinally extending frame members I2. Rod 2|]intermediate the upwardly projecting portions 2| has straight fioorengaging portions 22, all lying in the same plane. The base frame andparticularly rod 20 thereof being formed of relatively light weight rodmaterial has suflicient resiliency to permit up and down movements ofthe forward edge of the sinuous spring frame, such movements beingaccommodated by a tortional distortion of rod 20.

Means are provided for resiliently supporting the forward edge of thespring frame. This means comprises a plurality of arched sinuous springs24 similar in construction to the springs I4 previously described. Theends of springs 24 are crimped in short channel elements 25 which arewelded or otherwise fixedly secured to the transverse frame members 18and 19 in such a manner that the intermediate portions of sinuoussprings 24 arch upwardly towards the upper spring frame. Springs 24 attheir midpoints are connected to a pair of transversely extending rods21 and 28 which are rigidly secured, as by welding, to thelongitudinally extending frame members [2. As is best shown in Fig. 3,transverse rod 21 is secured to the under side of each member [2 whilerod 28 is secured to the upper side of the members l2 in order to locatethe rods 21 and 28 in the same plane.

The connection between each of the springs 25. and the rods 2'! and 28is effected by means of a channel element 36 shown best in Fig. 2. Thechannel element 30 has a base portion 3| lying parallel to the plane ofthe mid-portion of the springs 24 and below the same. A pair of parallelupstanding leg portions 32 on the channel 30- project upwardly onopposite sides of the central.

convolution 33 of springs 24. The leg portions 32 of the channel areeach provided. with; apertures 34 through which project the rods 2T andThe central convolution 33 of' the springs 25 is received and heldbetween the 28 of the frame.

base 3| of the channel and rods 21 and 28. A tongue 35 is struckupwardly from the base of the channel within the convolution 33 of thesprings and between it and the rod 21in order to'prevent displacement ofthe springs from the channel in a direction transversely of the springs.The springs 2d provide a resilient cushion support for the forward edgeof the spring frame. Since they are initially tensioned in the mannerdescribed in connection with springs M, they offer substantial one end.of the frame carrying springs I4 to the.

base frame as in this form of the invention in that such an arrangementprevents all relative movement between the frames in a horizontal plane.As a general rule, it is desirable to have the forward. edge of the seatof a softer construction than the rear and accordingly it is preferredto utilize the edge defined by channel member H) as the front of theseat cushion. However, the.

opposite edge may form the front of the seat cushion and the desirablesoft front edge characteristically imparted by the use of additionalthicknesses of padding at that. edge of the frame. Such an arrangementprovides a. more resilient support for the principal weight ofv theoccupants.

In Fig. 4 is shown. a modified form of. the invention in which thesinuous springs. All are secured in a channel member 4! at one end. andat their opposite ends in a. member 42 having a channel 43 at one edgethereof. Channel 4| and. member 42 are connected by a pluralityof.longitudinally extending frame members 4'4 asin. the previousmodification, each of which members is secured by welding to an upwardprojection d on a base frame wire 45. A channel member having its ends48 bent rearwardly is welded. at

its ends to member 42 and also secured: to forward projections 49 onlongitudinal members 44. The member'42 is provided with a secondchannel50 facing towards the channel member 47 and awill be observedthat this form of the invention is similar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 3inclusive, except for a slightly different form of sinuous spring frameand for a different form of resilient support for the edge of the springframe.

In Fig. 6 is shown a further modification embodying a different form ofconnection between coiled supporting springs and sinuous spring frame.In this form the sinuous springs 58 are secured at their ends in channelmembers 59 and 60 which are rigidlyconnected by a plurality oflongitudinally extending frame members 6| as in the form of theinvention shown in Fig. 1. Coiled supporting springs 62 for the sinuousspring frame are secured at their lower ends in transverse channelmembers 63 carried by a base frame 64 formed of a bent rod. The upperends of coiled springs 62 are crimped in a pair of transverse channelmembers 65 and 6! which are welded to the longitudinally extending framemember 6 l It will be noted that the outermostchannel members 65 aresecured to the under side of frame 7 member 6| while the inner channelmembers 61 are secured to the upper side of frame member 61 with theresult that channel members 65 and 6'! lie in the same plane.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 6, both edges of the sinuousspring frame are resiliently supported by coiled springs but it will beunderstood that the coiled springs at either edge may be replaced by thenon-resilient form of support shown in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 7 is shown a further modification of the invention in which asoft edge construction is provided by independently pivoted edgeportions on the supporting frame for the sinuous springs. The sinuoussprings 66 are secured at their ends in channels 61 formed at the inneredges of a pair of spaced parallel frame members 68. The supportingframe members 68;instea-d of being rigidly connected as in prior formsof the invention, are resiliently connected to a plurality oflongitudinally extending frame members 69 by means of relatively stiffsprin wires 10, having their ends crimped in frame members 68 and 69respectively. As a result of this arrrangement frame members 68 are heldin spaced, relation and thus maintain the sinuous springs 66 instretched condition but each of the members 68 may pivot or rotateslightly relative to the connecting frame member 69, such relativepivotal movements being accompanied by distortion of the spring wires10. At each end of. the seat frame a transverse channel element H,having inwardly bent ends 12, is rigidly secured to the adjacenttransverse frame members 68' by welding with the result that, themembers 68 and 1| may act as an auxiliary frame. member resilientlypivoted relative to the main sinuous springs.

The outer edges of transverse frame members 68 are provided withoutwardly opening channel member 13 and a plurality of coiled springs 14have their upper ends crimped in channels 13 and in channel members H.The lower ends of coiled springs 14 are crimped in a pair oftransversely extending channel members 15' and 16 carried by a rod 18forming the ends of the base frame.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 7, it will be noted that thecoiled springs 14 sustain the entire weight of the sinuou spring framebut permit angular movements of the edge structures 68 and H relative tothe main plane of the sinuous spring, frame. This arrangement gives asoft edge construction. While both edges of the frame shown in Fig. 7are shown provided with a soft edge construction and a coiled springsupport, it will be understood that one edg of the frame may beconstructed and supported in the manner best shown in Figs. 1 to 3inclusive at the right hand side of Fig. 3. Moreover, while the ends ofspring elements ID are preferably crimped in channels 61, it will beapparent that they may be journaled for rotation therein, if desired.

In Fig. 8 is shown a further modification of the invention in which bothedges of sinuous spring frame have a non-resilient support. In this formthe sinuous springs 80 are secured at their ends in a pair of channelmembers 8| and 82 which are rigidly connected by a plurality oflongitudinally extending frame members 83, which in turn are welded toupward projections 84 on a bent rod 85 forming the base frame. Suitablereinforcing rods 86 may be provided for connecting the rods 85 atopposite edges of the base frame.

In Fig. 9 of the drawings is shown a further form of the inventionsimilar to that shown in Fig. 1 except for a different form of resilientsupport for one edge of the sinuous spring frame. In this form of theinvention the sinuous springs 99 are crimped at their ends in a pair oftransverse channel members 9I and 92 which are rigidly connected by aplurality of longitudinally 3 extending frame channel members 93. The1ongitudinally extending members 93 are welded adjacent one edge of theframe to upward projections 94 on a base frame rod 95 in the mannerdescribed in connection with Fig. 1. frame rod 95 at the opposite edgeof the seat is similarly provided with upwardly projecting portions 96which form a fulcrum support, a transversely extending horizontal plate91 which extends entirely across the frame beneath the edge defined bychannel member 9I. A plurality of coiled springs 98 seat upon plate 91and are crimped at their upper ends in a pair of transversely extendingchannel members 99 and I00 which are secured to the longitudinallyextending frame members 93 below and above the latter respectively. Thelower ends of coiled springs 98 are secured to plate 9'! by tangs IIiIstruck upwardly from the plate.

In Figs. 10 to 13 inclusively is shown a further modification of theinvention. In this form the sinuous springs I II] are crimped at theirends in channel members IiI and H2 which in turn are rigidly connectedby a plurality of longitudinally extending frame members II3 as in theform shown in Fig. 1. One of the novel features of this form resides inthe fact that one edge of the sinuous spring frame is resilientlysupported by coiled springs II I having their upper ends crimped inchannel member I I I and in an auxiliary channel member II5 which issecured inwardly of channel I I I to the upper surface of thelongitudinally extending frame members I I3. It will be noted that,since the sinuous springs II!) and the coiled springs H4 are bothcrimped in the channel members III, the coiled spring II4 must bepositioned intermediate the sinuous springs. Any desired number ofcoiled springs H4 may be used. The lower ends of the coiled springs II iare secured by hog rings H6 to the base frame rods III and H8. Arelatively heavy spring wire H9 is secured at its ends in channelmembers I12 and H5 and has its intermediate portion lying along the sideof the outermost spring I IE to provide an edge stiffening effect andThe base to prevent transverse displacement of the outermost springIII]. If desired, the outermost spring III] and the wire II9 may besecured together by hog rings.

Another feature of the construction shown in Figs. 10 to 13 inclusiveresides in the provision of auxiliary supporting springs cooperatingwith the sinuous springs Hi) to support the weight of cocupants of theseat and this structure will now be described. The base frame of theseat is provided intermediate its ends with a longitudinally extendingsheet metal element I29 of generally inverted V-form having channels I2Iformed on its edges. A pair of transversely extending sinuous springelements I24, similar in construction and arrangement to the sinuousspring elements I ID, are each secured at one end by a clip I25 to thebase frame III at the end of the base frame and at the opposite endcrimped in one of the channels I2I on member I20, in the manner bestshown in Fig. 11. In this form of the invention it is intended that thefront edge of the seat will be that defined by channel member III andthe transverse sinuous springs I 24 are so positioned as to fall beneaththat portion of the sinuous spring frame which receives the maximumload, this area being adjacent but spaced inwardly from the edge of theseat cushion. A plurality of coiled springs I26 are secured to andbetween transverse sinuous springs I2 and longitudinally extendingsinuous springs I I9 by means of hog rings I21. It will be noted thattransverse sinuous springs I24 arch upwardly to a slight extent andaccordingly, since all of the coiled springs I26 are of the same initiallength, a slightly greater upward force will be exerted upon the sinuoussprings IIil located above the central portion of sinuous springs I24 atwhich point the maximum load upon the seat cushion is concentrated. Itwill be understood that the seat cushion shown in Figs. 1 to 3 isdesigned to accommodate two occupants and is identical in constructionon opposite sides of its longitudinal center line.

The structure shown in Figs. 10 to 13 inclusive, may to advantage beturned around so that the forward edge is that defined by channel memberI I2 since in that event the portion of the sinuous spring frame whichoverhangs the transverse sinuous springs I24 and coiled springs I26 willprovide a soft front edge construction. In this event the opposite edgeof the frame, now that defined by channel member I I I, may if desiredbe supported in the manner in which the edge defined by channel memberII in Fig. 1 is supported.

It is apparent that in accordance with the present application a numberof highly advantageous forms of seat frame constructions are provided.It will be understood, however, that other forms of construction areavailable within the spirit of the invention and within the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A frame work for an upholstered seat comprising a frame having a pairof spaced parallel transversely extending channel elements, longitudinalframe members connecting said channel elements, a transversely extendingmember secured to said longitudinal frame members intermediate saidchannel elements and extending parallel thereto, said transverse memberhaving a pair of channels opening toward said channel elementsrespectively, a plurality of sinuous springs each having one end crimpedin one of said; channel elements and the other end crimped.

sinuous; springs connected at their ends to and,

extending between, said transverse frame elements, a transverse framemember rigidly connected, to the forward transverse frame element andspaced outwardly thereof at the forward edge of the frame, means forsupporting the rear edge of frame, and resilient means connected to saidtransverse frame member and to said forward transverse frame element forsupporting the forward ed e of the frame.

3; A seat frame work; including a frame having a pair of spaced paralleltransverse frame elements, rigid longitudinally extending frame memberseach connected at one end to the rear transverse frame element andhaving a resilient connection. at the other end with the forwardtransverse frame element, arched sinuous springs connected at; theirends to and extending between said transverse frame elements, atransverse frame member rigidly connected to theforward transverse frameelement and spaced outwardly thereof at, the forward edge of the frame,means for supporting the rear; edge of frame, and resilient meansconnected to, said transverse frame member and to saidforward transverseframe element for supporting the forward edge of the frame.

4., A seat frame work: including a frame having a pair of spacedparallel transverse elements, rigid longitudinal members, each connectedat its rear. end to the rear transverse element and' pivotally connectedat its forward; end, to the forward transverse element, a plurality ofarched sinuous springs connected at their ends to and extending betweensaid transverse elements, means for supporting the rear of said frame,and resilient means engaging said forward transverse element forsupporting the forward edge of the frame, said forward transverseelement being of substantial width whereby; it may tilt under loadrelative to the plane of said elements and thereby provide a soft edgefor the seat.

5. A seat frame work including a frame having a pair of spaced paralleltransverse channel elements opening toward each other, a transversemember extending parallel to said elements intermediate the sameandrigidly ce-nnected to the forward channel element, said transversemember having a pair-of channels for-med therein and opening toward saidchannel elements respectively, longitudinal frame members connecting,said transverse member with the rearward transverse element, archedsinuous springs each having one end crimped in a channel in saidtransverse member and its opposite endcrimped in said rearchannel'element, and springs-for supporting the forward end of saidframe, said springs having their upper portions crimped in saidforwardchannel element and in the other channel of said transversemember.

6. In a seat construction, three parallel border elements, comprising arear and intermediate border element spaced a material distance apartand a front border element disposed in proximity to the intermediateborder element, spring strips interconnecting the intermediate borderelement and the rear border element forming the load supporting portionof the seat, coil springs having the top convolutions joining the frontborder element to the intermediate border element forming a soft frontedge for the seat,

and a base structure on which the coil springs and the rear borderelement are secured.

HAROLD F.

